Guide to gas companies in Spain: compare and choose the best option for you
If you live in Spain and need to set up a gas contract, it is perfectly normal to find the system confusing at first. Which company should you choose? What documents do you need? Why are there two different markets? This guide explains everything clearly and directly, written especially for people who have arrived in the country with no prior experience of the Spanish energy system.
The difference between a distributor and a supplier
To understand your bill and make the right choice, you need to know the difference between these two figures:
The distributor owns the infrastructure (pipes and meters). You cannot choose your distributor, as it depends on your geographical area. If there is a fault or the meter fails, they are responsible.
The supplier (comercializadora) is the company you sign your contract with and the one that sends you your bills. This is where you have complete freedom to choose the deal that suits you best. In Spain, switching supplier is a purely administrative process: your supply is never interrupted.
Free market and regulated market: what they are and which to choose
In Spain there are two markets for contracting gas. Understanding the difference is the most important decision you will make.
The regulated market sells the TUR (Tarifa de Último Recurso, or Last Resort Tariff), a price set by the Government that is updated quarterly and published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). In the current context, with high energy prices, the TUR tends to be the cheapest option. There is no lock-in period, so you can switch to the free market at any time without penalty.
You can only contract the TUR through these reference suppliers:
- Energía XXI: reference supplier for the Endesa group.
- Curenergía: reference supplier for the Iberdrola group.
- Comercializadora Regulada Gas & Power: reference supplier for the Naturgy group.
- Baser: reference supplier for the TotalEnergies group.
Although they belong to the same groups as the free market suppliers, they are legally separate companies with independent contracts, bills and customer service.
The free market is where companies compete and set their own prices. Unlike the regulated market, the price here is not set by the Government but by the supplier you sign with. This means you can negotiate terms, choose from more options and access additional services, although prices may vary depending on the company.
It is worth knowing that these companies operate in both markets under different names:
| Parent group | Free market name / Commercial brand * | Regulated market name (TUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Naturgy | Naturgy Iberia / Naturgy | Gas & Power |
| Endesa | Endesa Energía / Endesa | Energía XXI |
| Iberdrola | Iberdrola Clientes / Iberdrola | Curenergía |
| TotalEnergies | TotalEnergies / TotalEnergies | Baser |
| Repsol | Repsol Luz y Gas / Repsol | Currently free market only |
* Please note that your contract and bills will show the legal name of the supplier (for example, "Naturgy Iberia S.A." or "Endesa Energía S.A.U."), not the commercial brand you may recognise.
When to choose the regulated market? It is the most cost-effective option for the vast majority of households in the current context. It makes sense if your priority is price. You can arrange home maintenance through your supplier, some of these suppliers also offer maintenance services for gas and electricity installations.
When to consider the free market? It makes sense if you prefer a fixed price that will not change for a full year, if you want to combine gas and electricity on a single bill, or if you want to choose from a wider range of offers and companies.
The most popular free market gas companies in Spain
These are the free market suppliers with the highest number of customers in Spain.
Endesa: A leading company in the electricity and gas sector in Spain. It stands out for its wide national coverage and a mobile app available in both Spanish and English, allowing you to manage bills and consumption from anywhere.
Bill estimation based on a consumption of 200 kWh/year of gas including taxes.
Iberdrola: A company with over 100 years of experience in the Spanish electricity and gas market. It offers highly professional customer service and a wide range of household tariffs.
Bill estimation based on a consumption of 200 kWh/year of gas including taxes.
Repsol Luz y Gas: A supplier that combines energy supply with fuel discounts through its Waylet programme. If you own a car, its petrol station rewards when you take out a gas contract can be very worthwhile.
Bill estimation based on a consumption of 200 kWh/year of gas including taxes.
TotalEnergies: A supplier offering 100% green energy with gas and electricity tariffs and a points rewards programme. It entered the Spanish market after acquiring EDP's residential customer portfolio.
Bill estimation based on a consumption of 200 kWh/year of gas including taxes.
Naturgy: The company with the longest tradition in the Spanish gas sector. It has an extensive network of physical offices across the country, making in-person management straightforward. Particularly useful if you prefer to handle everything face to face rather than online.
Bill estimation based on a consumption of 200 kWh/year of gas including taxes.
Other free market suppliers
In addition to the major groups, there are more than 300 companies operating in the free market in Spain. The best way to find the right one for you is to compare prices based on your actual consumption.
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Frequently asked questions about gas companies in Spain
Which is the best gas company in Spain?
The answer depends on your profile. If your priority is price, the TUR tends to be the most cost-effective option in the current context. If you prefer a fixed price, additional services, or combining gas and electricity on a single bill, the free market may suit you better. Use our comparison tool to find the company that best fits your consumption.
Can I add extra services by contracting in the free market?
One of the advantages of the free market is the possibility of combining services. The dual tariff, for example, means combining gas and electricity on a single bill with the same supplier. It is the preferred option for many people living abroad in Spain due to its administrative simplicity.
Advantage: You receive a single charge and have one point of contact for all queries.
Disadvantage: Sometimes the savings on one supply are offset by a higher price on the other.
Tip: Always compare the gas price in a dual tariff against the TUR price separately before deciding.
Free personalised energy advice
What do you need to set up a contract?
The documents you need depend on your situation:
- Identification: Your NIE or CUE is ideal. If you have just arrived and do not yet have an NIE, many companies will accept your passport for the initial sign-up, although they will ask you to update it later. If you are an EU citizen, you can open a contract with your passport without any issue.
- Bank account: You will need an IBAN to set up a direct debit. European regulations (the SEPA Regulation) require suppliers to accept any IBAN from the SEPA zone, which includes the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino and the United Kingdom. If a supplier refuses your European IBAN, you can complain to the consumer authority in your region. If you do not belong to any of these countries, you will need a Spanish IBAN.
- Your CUPS code: This is the unique identifier for your gas supply point. It is around 20 characters long and can be found on previous bills for the property. If you do not have these, you can ask the landlord or the previous owner in the case of a purchase, or request it directly from the distribution company in your area.
- Installation certificate: Only required if the property is new or the gas has been disconnected for more than two years. A certified engineer must confirm that the installation is safe. The full process usually takes around 7 working days from when the request is accepted. If the engineer identifies any fault, the timeline is paused until it is resolved.
What are the most common mistakes when setting up gas in Spain?
- Trying to sign up without a Spanish IBAN: the process will be blocked if you do not belong to a SEPA country. Open a bank account first.
- Not asking for the CUPS code before you move in: without it, the sign-up process may be delayed.
- Assuming the gas is already active: even if the property looks liveable and has a gas hob, the supply may have been disconnected. Always confirm before moving in.
- Confusing a fault with a disconnected supply: if the gas is not working and you smell gas or suspect a technical fault, call the distributor. If the supply has been cut off due to unpaid bills, contact the supplier. These are different situations with different solutions.
- Assuming the contract is in your name: if you have just moved in, the contract may still be in the previous tenant's name or may have been cancelled. Always confirm before moving in.
- Choosing the free market without comparing it to the TUR: in the current context, the regulated tariff tends to be cheaper. Always compare before deciding.